Fall leaves in vegetable garden - Ask Extension
I read something on the internet that you should put the leaves that fell from your trees on your vegetable garden and they will decompose and provide...
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Fall leaves in vegetable garden #782261
Asked February 20, 2022, 5:04 PM EST
I read something on the internet that you should put the leaves that fell from your trees on your vegetable garden and they will decompose and provide good compost. So I did this last fall and now it looks like they haven't decomposed much. Are these usable or do I need to remove them?
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Move the leaves aside to plant and then re-apply around the plants as a mulch. If possible, run them over with a lawnmower to make them more useful as a mulch.
Here is more information on putting the garden to bed in the fall and the use of leaves. Cover the soil with shredded leaves or some other type of mulch to prevent erosion. Cover crops are preferred, but shredded leaves are a good alternative. Rake leaves into a loose pile and mow over them with a lawnmower to cut them up. They will be much less likely to blow away if they are broken up. They can be worked into the soil next spring or seedlings can be planted through them. The mulch will act as a weed inhibitor. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/caring-your-vegetable-garden
Marian
Here is more information on putting the garden to bed in the fall and the use of leaves. Cover the soil with shredded leaves or some other type of mulch to prevent erosion. Cover crops are preferred, but shredded leaves are a good alternative. Rake leaves into a loose pile and mow over them with a lawnmower to cut them up. They will be much less likely to blow away if they are broken up. They can be worked into the soil next spring or seedlings can be planted through them. The mulch will act as a weed inhibitor. https://extension.umd.edu/resource/caring-your-vegetable-garden
Marian
